I THESSALONIANS

             "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."  I Thessalonians 3:12

Hubble telescope photograph

The book of I Thessalonians, written by the Apostle Paul to the people at Thessalonica, is a book of advise to Believers on how to act and interact with each other and with mankind.  The book of I Thessalonians doesn't have a "3:16", so I chose the above verse as the topic for this post.







We as Believers, are supposed to be so full of love that it is overflowing to everyone.  Not just our closest friends. Not just our family. Not just to those who agree with us, dress like us, have the same skin color, speak the same language... EVERYONE.  Now, this does NOT mean that Believers shouldn't stand up for what they believe in... What it DOES mean is that these disagreements need to be handled firmly, but with the best interests of the opponent" in mind. Handled not only with love; but, with "tough love."  It can be a tough balancing act... Nevertheless, love covers a multitude of sins.... Love never fails. ( I Corinthians, chapter 13)

The Pleiades

I remember visiting a planetarium in Philadelphia when I was a teenager.  As I remember it, the planetarium was a big dome-shaped building.  We entered and stood, looking upward. Then, the lights were dimmed, and we viewed "the heavens".  All the constellations were displayed across the "sky", and they were described by a man with a deep resonant voice. It was an beautiful experience.  No fancy special effects like people today seem to think necessary; but, rather, a sense of how wonderfully and perfectly the Creator made our universe.

Hubble photo of dying star; looks like the Eye of God to me!

Now, imagine the planets and the constellations from a God's eye view, looking down past the heavens and into the planetarium which is chock-full of people.  The people are "packed in like sardines"; there number is vast. Some are sitting on the edge of the done-shaped building; others are lying down.  Everyone wants to see the heavens.  But it is so crowded.  The only ones who truly see the light are those in the center of the dome;  they see the light and they hear the resonant voice with the message. Others, further out from the center may see glimpses or hear bits and pieces, but never enough   to get the true picture. Those furthest from the center have stopped even seeking the light or the message...



But, wait!  There IS an answer!  The people in the center of the dome - those who have seen the Light and heard the Voice - can explain what they have seen and heard to the people next to them. This next group can then take the message on to the next tier of people. And so  on. And so on. Finally, the message of Heaven will reach the outermost edges of the dome; there will be someone capable of reaching and teaching every person under the dome. Everyone. BECAUSE THE LORD IS THE LIGHT AND THE LORD WILL MAKE YOUR LOVE INCREASE AND OVERFLOW FOR EACH OTHER AND FOR EVERYONE.

Often, the people who need love the most are the hardest to love.  These people have built walls around their hearts;  they are stand-offish, never letting anyone get too close.  They have experiences rejection. Or abuse. Or deep loneliness.  They need love so badly.  They need "a trip to the planetarium". They need someone to share the Light.  The Voice.

Might that someone be you?

PSALMS

         "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all"  Psalm 103:19  NIV)

photo from: mercyandgrace,net

     The book of Psalms, large as it is, has no "3:16".  Psalms is a large collection of songs to God; many of them even have directions to the music leader; yes, they were meant to be sung.  Some of the psalms are songs of praise, worship, and thanksgiving.  Others are expressions of despair or fear. Still others describe the attributes of God.  In all the Psalms we recognize our thoughts and needs as children of God.
     For this little lesson, I chose an unusual psalm... It's not very flowery or poetic...  It doesn't paint a word picture such as we might get with the 23rd Psalm... But, I chose it because it gives the concise message: God Is In Control.  God has absolute power.  He is the ruler over all people,  the coordinator of all the events in the universe.  HE  IS  SOVEREIGN.
     Sovereign = deserving our utmost reverence and honor. He is in control.  He rules over everything that happens in your life.  Have you put the proper emphasis on His power and His knowledge?  Or, are you trying to hold back certain parts of your life?
  

photo from:  reference.findtarget.com

   That reminds me of a story I read many years ago in a history book; I don't remember what book, and I'm not sure whether or not it was fact, but it sounded like human behavior to me:   When Christianity first came to Europe, military leaders took their armies to rivers for mass baptisms before battle.  Some of the soldiers submerged themselves in the river, but held their right hands up out of the water.  Their rationale was that the soul would be baptized, but the right hand could keep on fighting in battle - just like before the baptism.
     This was wrong-thinking on a couple of levels.  Truth be known, if one examines the scriptures,  it is not wrong to fight in battle... But that's another topic for another day.  In their ignorance of that fact, the soldiers were trying to "get one over on God".  The reader might, at first glance, think this is a pitiful act... But, is our behavior so different from that of the soldiers?  Do we claim to be wholly committed to God, but somehow "forget" to commit our bankbook?  Or, do we hold back certain selfish behaviors, not even allowing for the idea that God could help us improve them?  Why do we hold back from the God Who knows all, created all, and rules all?  He is sovereign.
  

      Sovereign.  Through the years there have been many gold coins called sovereigns.  As we know, coins have two sides.  God has another side, too.  We have looked at His power.  But, now if we will look at "the other side of the coin", we find this wonderful, gentle Father with His arms wide open.  Waiting to hold us, adopt us, forgive us, redeem us, love us.  This offer of Supreme Love is part of his sovereign plan, too:
      

 

Hubble photograph, from the book, "Universe"

 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names."    (Psalm 47: 3,4   KJV)

     The same God Who watches over you, takes care of the universe.  Isn't that awesome?  Invite Him to be truly sovereign in your life.